Table 1 Characteristics of included trials
Trial | Country | Number of randomised participants | Mental health disorder | Shorter-term intervention | Longer-term intervention | Overall risk of bias | Primary outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Barkham et al. 1996a [40] | United Kingdom | 54 | Major depressive disorder | 8 sessions CBT (8Â weeks) | 16 sessions CBT (18Â weeks) | High | No primary outcome was reported |
8 sessions psychodynamic-interpersonal therapy (8Â weeks) | 16 sessions psychodynamic-interpersonal therapy (18Â weeks) | ||||||
Bohni et al. 2009a [42] | Denmark | 48 | Panic disorder | 8 sessions CBT (3Â weeks) | 13 sessions CBT (13Â weeks) | High | No primary outcome was reported |
Böttche et al. 2021 [51] | Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Syria, Morocco, Palestine | 224 | PTSD | 6 sessions internet-based CBT (3 weeks) | 10 sessions internet-based CBT (5 weeks) | High | Primary outcome was PTSD symptoms as measured with the Posttraumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale (PDS) |
Bruijniks et al. 2020 [39] | The Netherlands | 200 | Major depressive disorder | 20 sessions CBT (24Â weeks) | 20 sessions CBT (16Â weeks) | High | Primary outcome was depression severity as measured with the BDI-II |
20 sessions interpersonal therapy (24Â weeks) | 20 sessions interpersonal therapy (16Â weeks) | ||||||
Christensen et al. 2006a [43] | Australia | 931 | Major depressive disorder | Brief online CBT and problem solving (unclear duration) | Extended online CBT and problem solving (unclear duration) | High | Primary outcome was depression severity as measured with the Goldberg Depression Scale |
Clark et al. 1999 [37] | United Kingdom | 29 | Panic disorder | 5 sessions CBT (12Â weeks) | 12 sessions CBT (12Â weeks) | High | No primary outcome was reported |
Dekker et al. 2005Â [44] | The Netherlands | 103 | Major depressive disorder | 8 sessions short psychodynamic supportive psychotherapy (8Â weeks) | 16 sessions short psychodynamic supportive psychotherapy (24Â weeks) | High | No primary outcome was reported |
Dell et al. 2022 [49] | Australia | 138 | PTSD | 10 sessions prolonged exposure (2Â weeks) | 10 sessions prolonged exposure (10Â weeks) | High | Primary outcome was severity of PTSD symptoms assessed with the Clinician- Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS).3 |
Ehlers et al. 2014 [45] | United Kingdom | 61 | PTSD | 14 sessions cognitive therapy (5Â weeks) | 12 sessions cognitive therapy (12Â weeks) | High | Primary outcome was severity of PTSD symptoms assessed with the Clinician- Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) |
Foa et al. 2018 [46] | USA | 219 | PTSD | 10 sessions prolonged exposure therapy (2 weeks) | 10 sessions prolonged exposure therapy (8 weeks) | High | Primary outcome was severity of PTSD symptoms assessed with the PTSD Symptom Scale–Interview (PSS-I) |
Hadjistavropoulos et al. 2022 [50] | Canada | 434 | Depression and/or anxiety | 8 sessions internet-based CBT (8 weeks) | 11 sessions internet-based CBT (8 weeks + 3 booster sessions) | High | Primary outcomes were severity of depression and anxiety assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) |
12 sessions internet-based CBT (12 weeks) | 15 sessions internet-based CBT (12 weeks + 3 booster sessions) | ||||||
Herbert et al. 2004 [36] | USA | 34 | Social anxiety disorder | 12 sessions CBT (12Â weeks) | 12 sessions CBT (18Â weeks) | High | No primary outcome was reported |
Kenardy et al. 2003 [48] | Australia and Scotland | 81b | Panic disorder | 6 sessions CBT (6Â weeks) | 12 sessions CBT (12Â weeks) | High | Primary measures included a comprehensive battery of panic and anxiety measures |
Knekt et al. 2008 [34] | Finland | 229 | Mood- and anxiety disorders | 20 sessions psychodynamic therapy (20Â weeks) | 468 sessions psychodynamic therapy (156Â weeks) | High | Primary outcomes were depressive and anxiety symptoms |
Lorentzen et al. 2013 [35] | Norway | 167 | Mood- anxiety- and personality disorders | 20 sessions psychodynamic group therapy (20Â weeks) | 80 sessions psychodynamic group therapy (80Â weeks) | High | No primary outcome was reported |
McMain et al | Canada | 240 | BPD | 26 sessions DBT (26Â weeks) | 52 sessions DBT (52Â weeks) | High | Primary outcome was frequency of suicidal or non-suicidal self-injurious episodes |
Nacasch et al. 2015 [47] | Israel | 40 | PTSD | 10–15 sessions prolonged exposure therapy (60 min) | 10–15 sessions prolonged exposure therapy (90 min) | High | Primary outcome was severity of PTSD symptoms assessed with the Posttraumatic Symptom Scale-Interview (PSS-I) |
Roberge et al. 2008 [38] | Canada | 65 | Panic disorder with agoraphobia | 7 sessions CBT (16Â weeks) | 14 sessions CBT (15Â weeks) | High | No primary outcome was reported |
Shapiro et al. 1994a [41] | United Kingdom | 150 | Major depressive disorder | 8 sessions CBT (8Â weeks) | 16 sessions CBT (18Â weeks) | High | No primary outcome was reported |
8 sessions psychodynamic-relationship-oriented therapy (8Â weeks) | 16 sessions of psychodynamic-relationship-oriented therapy (18Â weeks) |